From Warm Heart’s Retirement to the Saudi Cup 2024, Here Are The Highlights From Horse Racing World

The horse racing calendar is seldom off the integral-events marking. Starting from the Pegasus World Cup for the season launch to the Japan World Cup and Breeders’ Cup in November to mark the end, the industry has much to offer year-round. For the persisting month and further, however, Saudi and Dubai Cup might take up major space on the schedules.

The two anticipatory cups awaiting arrival in the next two months may of course make the news often with prep races in place. However, they aren’t all that covered the past week. From the grounds of New Zealand to the Gulfstream Park of Florida marking Warm Heart’s memorable retirement, the past few days have presented quite the sight. Here’s a look into the events.

Cape Town takes the lead

The World Horse Racing recently rounded up the week for the community, presenting some of the best moments from across the world. Amidst Saudi Cup prep races and Pegasus World Cup, Cape Town ensured to stand out with 3 of its G1 winners making the list. Double Superlative was the first to arrive as British jockey, Daniel Muscutt led him to victory at the Cape Town Met.

Next on the list, the reigning Equus Horse of the Year, Princess Calla took home the G1 Majorca Stakes. To end the week well for Cape Town on the 27th, Dyce secured an R1.73 million victory at the Cape Flying Championship.

The Dubai grounds

For the past week, the Meydan racecourse welcomed two victors. Kabirkhan, initially took the horse racing world by storm as he swept the Al Maktoum Challenge in a race to the Dubai Cup. He was further followed by Measured Time who secured the AED1.85-million G1 Jebel Hatta victory and will also aim for the Dubai Turf.

New Zealand to Florida

The inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic on Saturday presented Desert Lightning not just with a highlighting win but also an invitation further for  All Star Mile in March. Next on the map, Victor the Winner hoisted his flag at the Centenary Sprint Cup, Sha Tin Racecourse. Following his victory, the gelding attained heights as he derailed the world’s highest-rated sprinter. The Pegasus World Cup, with all its glory, added two victors to the list: Warm Heart and National Treasure.

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While the latter made his trainer Bob Baffert first to win the event three times, Warm Heart lent herself a chance to retire a champion. With her run, Warm Heart became the first filly to win the 1 1/8-mile race thus, retiring in style.

Saudi Cup finds new potential

On the 27th, Power in Numbers clinched a win at the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup. Led by Camilo Ospina, the equine’s victory got him a place in the $20m Saudi Cup lineup on Feb 24. The world’s richest race will take place at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh over 2 days. 

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